"The high court decision left many Alaskans, including policymakers, uncertain about how campaign financing might be affected in this election year," Sullivan said. "Our legal analysis identifies areas of Alaska campaign finance law that are directly impacted by the recent Supreme Court ruling. We also examine and highlight indirect effects on Alaska law."

According to the opinion, the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission on Jan. 21 very likely renders unconstitutional current state law prohibiting independent expenditures by corporations and unions in a candidate election. However, Citizens United does not directly impact Alaska's laws regarding coordinated expenditures, ballot measure expenditures, contributions to candidates, or reporting and registration requirements.

For more information, contact Assistant Attorney General John Ptacin, (907)269-5073.